The defending Wesco 4A champions bring back a solid core of players who should make the Grizzlies part of the title conversation again despite the graduation of two first-team, all-league standouts.

Seniors posts Evan Mannes and Noah Forman both have started games since their sophomore seasons.

“They are both really smart, strong players,” Glacier Peak coach Brian Hunter said. “Both are really good rebounders. They play well defensively. They complement each other really well. One may do something better than the other. As a whole, they really are a solid tandem together.”

Junior Brayden Corwin also started last year but will be shifting to a somewhat different role this season.

Corwin often brought the ball up the court and directed the offense as a point guard. Corwin will have help in the backcourt with junior Brayden Quantrille assuming some of the point guard duties.

“Other kids will free him up offensively,” Hunter said of Corwin. “They (Corwin and Quantrille) will play together and help each other. They’re both skilled players.

Corwin averaged about 10 points per game last season and Hunter expects those numbers to go up.

“It’s a little bit easier to score when you’re not required to get the team into the offensive set,” Hunter said.

Also back is junior wing Fletcher Douglas, another returning starter who brings versatile skills.

“Fletcher played post and wing,” Hunter said. “He can be one of the better defenders in our league. He can fill in a lot of gaps and play in a lot of different positions for us.”

Two players Hunter is counting on for minutes are senior wings Cedric Jones and Marshall Ross.

The Grizzlies will start the season with a seven-player varsity roster and will swing players up from junior varsity.

“We’re expecting those guys to take that next step and be ready to play varsity,” Hunter said.

Glacier Peak’s winning culture should only help motivate the returning players and the newcomers. The Grizzlies have advanced to the state tournament the last two years and are a consistent district playoff team.

“Guys have been around a lot of success,” Hunter said. “That motivates them. … Every team has a chance to put their own mark on the program. I expect this group to be competitive.”